Song Video

Lyrics

Over the river and through the woods
To Grandmother's house we go.
The horse knows the way
To carry the sleigh
Through the white and drifted snow, O!
Over the river and through the woods
Oh, how the wind does blow.
It stings the nose
And bites the toes
As over the ground we go.

Over the river and through the woods
Trot fast my dapple gray.
Spring over the ground
Like a hunting hound
On this Thanksgiving Day, Hey!
Over the river and through the woods
Now Grandmother's face I spy.
Hurrah for the fun,
Is the pudding done?
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie.

Information About Thanksgiving Day - Over The River

Alternatively known as "Over the River and Through the Woods" the song is a Thanksgiving song written by novelist Lydia Maria Child. Originally written as a poem called "A Boy's Thanksgiving Day", it appeared in Lydia's "Flowers for Children, volume 2", in the year 1844.

The song is about Lydia celebrating her childhood memories of visiting her Grandfather's House.

The words to the song are sometimes amended to be about Christmas instead of Thanksgiving.

Alternative Lyrics & Related Songs

A verse that has different words in it

Over the river and through the woods
To grandmother's house we go!
The horse knows the way
To carry the sleigh,
Through bright and drifting snow, oh!
Over the river and through the woods
Oh, how the wind doth blow!
It stings the toes and bites the nose,
As over the hills we go.

To grandfather's house we go

Over the river and thru the wood,
To grandfather's house we go;
The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh,
Thru the white and drifted snow, oh!

Over the river and thru the wood,
Oh, how the wind does blow!
It stings the toes and bites the nose,
As over the ground we go.

Over the river and thru the wood,
To have a first-rate play;
Oh, hear the bell ring, "Ting-a-ling-ling!"
Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day-ay!

Over the river and thru the wood,
Trot fast my dapple gray!
Spring over the ground,
Like a hunting hound!
For this is Thanksgiving Day.

Over the river and through the wood,
And straight through the barnyard gate.
We seem to go extremely slow
It is so hard to wait!

Over the river and through the wood --
Now Grandmother's cap I spy!
Hurrah for fun! Is the pudding done?
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!